N55 Oil Everywhere! Help identify possible locations of a leak...

[westcoast1er]

Hey guys,

I noticed some oil spots where I have been parking my car. Finally got it in the air and unfortunately the whole under tray was quite soaked and dirty. Lots of oil coming down in multiple places and would really appreciate some guidance.

At the moment I am going to try and clean the oil off and then drive the car, put it in the air again, hopefully revealing the location a bit better.

ALSO,

When sitting my car makes an odd chatter every 15-25 minutes, or often when I unlock it. Any ideas? (N55/DCT)

See the attached pictures. (won't upload, will try again)

Thanks!

[Ric in RVA]

Three guesses.

Oil Filter Housing Gasket

Valve Cover

Oil Pan

[The Wind Breezes]

Probably your filter housing if you haven't checked it in a while.

[Esteban]

Chatter sounds like your fuel pump priming. Normal.

[westcoast1er]

Thanks!

I will have to check the oil filter housing, although IIRC it was dry as a bone. I wiped up as much as I could and will take a look later to narrow down the options.

No ideas for that semi-random chatter?

[westcoast1er]

Originally Posted by Esteban

Chatter sounds like your fuel pump priming. Normal.

Hmm, it is quite loud and throws off a lot of people. I figured that is what it is, but it seems overly loud.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by westcoast1er

Hmm, it is quite loud and throws off a lot of people. I figured that is what it is, but it seems overly loud.

When I unlock my car in my garage I can hear it very clearly.

[Esteban]

If you're worried that the sound you hear isn't normal maybe you could post a sound clip or video so that we can hear it and tell you if it sounds like our cars or not.

[Dackelone]

Who's been servicing your car ?

Could just be oil spray from a newbie oil tech who forgot to screw down the oil filter cap or doubled up the gasket o-ring on the filter cap. Shit happens.

You really just need to clean the engine very well and keep looking for leaks. IF you can get the car up on ramps and then wash the underside and top - that would be best. Use some compressed air to blow out all the water.

[westcoast1er]

Originally Posted by Esteban

If you're worried that the sound you hear isn't normal maybe you could post a sound clip or video so that we can hear it and tell you if it sounds like our cars or not.

Here is a link to the pictures AND a video of the sound.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bw...mVldmhub041Yms

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by westcoast1er

Here is a link to the pictures AND a video of the sound.

That does sound different than mine. Mine is quite a bit smoother sounding.

Let's see if anyone else has an opinion on this sound.

[glock1]

westcoast1er, today I worked on my n55 e88 and had the same oil leak all over the underside of the car. Did you ever discover the source?

[westcoast1er]

Originally Posted by glock1

westcoast1er, today I worked on my n55 e88 and had the same oil leak all over the underside of the car. Did you ever discover the source?

Yes, one was the oil filter housing gasket. I cannot recall the other.

[SamelCamel]

Do you think that the sound is maybe coming from the automatic headlamps? It sounds like you did the LED halo mod and maybe the ballast is hitting the motor on the backs of the headlamps.

Wild guess... Maybe put your hand on the backs of the headlamps and see if that's where the noise is coming from.

Let us know.


-Sam

[inevitab1e]

Add some Molygen for your next oil change. Oil will glow with a UV light and you can find the leak better.

https://products.liqui-moly.com/moly...n-5w-40-1.html

[westcoast1er]

Originally Posted by SamelCamel

Do you think that the sound is maybe coming from the automatic headlamps? It sounds like you did the LED halo mod and maybe the ballast is hitting the motor on the backs of the headlamps.

Wild guess... Maybe put your hand on the backs of the headlamps and see if that's where the noise is coming from.

Let us know.


-Sam

The problem is, I cannot cause the sound. So I would have to wait for maybe 5 minutes or hours before it makes the sound.

Additionally, I bought the car with the headlights as is - so perhaps they were modified.

Currently without the car as it would not start - seemed to be cam position sensor.